The Pakistan women’s football team has officially been eliminated from the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, a tournament that featured seven competing teams. Positioned in Group A, Pakistan played two matches, each revealing both the challenges and potential of the squad.
The opening encounter was against India, the five-time champions of the SAFF Women’s Championship. In a decisive match, India triumphed over Pakistan with a scoreline of 5-2. Despite the loss, the goals for Pakistan came from Suha and Rameen, showcasing their ability to find the net even against formidable opponents.
In their second match, Pakistan faced the defending champions, Bangladesh. Contrary to pre-match expectations, the Pakistani team delivered an impressive performance, managing to secure a draw against an established side. The game unfolded dramatically; Pakistan took the initiative with a goal from Zahmena Malik, beautifully set up by Rameen Fareed. This moment demonstrated the team’s growing synergy and skill. However, heartbreak awaited Pakistan in the closing moments when Bangladesh’s Samsunhar Jr. equalized in the 90th minute, leaving Pakistan’s aspirations unfulfilled.
The final blow to Pakistan’s campaign came when Bangladesh defeated India 3-1 in their last group match, officially knocking Pakistan out of the tournament. With Bangladesh and India advancing to the semi-finals to face Bhutan and Nepal, respectively, the path forward becomes clearer for them.
Despite the disappointing result, this tournament has served as a significant platform for the Pakistan women’s football team. It’s important to recognize that success in football is not achieved overnight; it requires time and sustained effort to develop a competitive squad. There are signs of progress within the team, indicating a bright future ahead.
To the Pakistan Football Fans: While Pakistan may be out of the SAFF Women’s Championship for 2024, the experience gained from these matches is invaluable. It lays the groundwork for future development in women’s football in the country, suggesting that the trajectory towards success is slowly but surely being forged. Keep supporting your team.
For the latest fixtures and results, stay updated by visiting footballer.pk/fixtures.